Nicknamed, ‘Mqombothi’ by Kaizer Chiefs faithful Albert Bwalya has to be one of the best exports to don the gold and black. As a striker he was handful for defenders and you would not want to give him a space to shoot. He sat down with kaizerchiefs.com to talk about his two stints at Chiefs.

My transfer…

I joined Kaizer Chiefs in 1988. The late Mr. Shezi spotted me and then Mr. Kaizer Motaung came himself to pick me up in Swaziland. I was playing for Rovers. The main purpose for me to go to Swaziland was to go to Johannesburg and join Kaizer Chiefs.

I had this picture at home with Kaizer Motaung, ACE Ntsoelengoe and Teenage. I was delighted when I finally signed with the team of my dreams.

I enjoyed my stay with Chiefs both when I first arrived – joined Wits in 1989 and came back in 1992. I have no regrets. I had an opportunity to meet some of my former teammates like Abel Shongwe during the funeral of Ernest Makhanya. We spoke about the golden days.

My debut…

We were playing against Moroka Swallows at Ellis Park in a league game. I think we won 1-0. Chiefs had the likes of Doctor Khumalo, Ntsie Maphike, Scara Thindwa, Jack Chamangwane, Mike Mangena, and Marks Maponyane. I found it easy to settle at Kaizer Chiefs and in Johannesburg. It was not difficult at all. I enjoyed myself.

My jersey…

I was given no. 19 and then I went to Wits came back and I was given no. 23 when I came back in 1992. Lucas Radebe was using no. 19 when I came back from the loan from Wits (now Bidvest Wits).

My nickname…

The nickname; ‘Mqombothi’ (African beer) I still don’t know why they gave me the nickname. They still call me ‘Mqombothi’ so I have no problem with it.

My highlight…

I used to be there for Kiazer Chiefs when they needed me most. I remember playing against Pirates in the Coca Cola Cup we were trailing 2-0 when we pulled a goal back through Fani Madida. Chippa Molatedi had come in as a substitute and changed the completion of the game.

Pirates thought they had won it when we won a throw in that Gardner Searle took and I was given a space to shoot and beat William Shongwe forcing the game to extra time. Fani Madida scored the winner for us on that day and we won 3-2.

My highlight though was scoring a goal against Hellenic in Cape Town in 1988. My teammates told me before the game that they had not beaten Hellenic in Cape Town. I dribbled past five or six defenders before putting the ball on the net. I created the second goal and we won that game 2-0.

My roommate…

I did not have a permanent roommate, shared with Wellington (Manyathi), Abel Shongwe, William Shongwe or even Scara Thindwa. I also shared a room with Doctor. He was very funny.

I remember one day we were in Nelspruit and I wanted to order food. He told me what to say to the lady when she answers the phone…I was like ‘Doctor, I can’t say that because in my language I would be insulting her’. Doc wanted to trick me but thanks I was on my toes (laughing).

My favourite stadium…

I did not have a favourite stadium; I wanted to score whether we were playing in Qwaqwa, Ellis Park, Rand Stadium or Kings Park in Durban. I want to score it does not matter where.

The team I wanted to beat most…

It has to be Orlando Pirates. I always scored against Orlando Pirates!

Toughest Opponent…

Sam ‘Ewe’ Khambule, may his soul rest in peace! That man did not even want to see me.

My favourite goal…

I scored many goals from long range. I think I had the hardest shot at Chiefs…followed by Scara (Thindwa). The goal I scored against Hellenic in 1988 where I beat more than half of the team at Greenpoint Stadium has to be the best ever. I have not seen any goal like that even today.

My favourite coach…

Ted Dimitri. He was a Coach at Chiefs when I joined back in 1988.